Solar wireless beach chair

ABSTRACT

An improvement for a collapsible beach chair includes an umbrella mechanism that has a rigid support post fixed with an expandable canopy. The canopy includes at least one flexible solar panel and power lines electrically connected with an umbrella electrical connector. A clamping mechanism supports the umbrella mechanism with one of a pair of back support posts of the chair. A chair electrical connector cooperative with the umbrella electrical connector is electrically connected with a pair of audio transducers each fixed with one of a pair of armrests of the chair. Each audio transducer is adapted for receiving a wireless audio signal and reproducing such signal audibly. A rechargeable battery and powered USB ports may further be provided, as well as pockets suspended from the arm rests of the chair to enclose the audio transducers and the rechargeable battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 61/879,651, filed on Sep. 18, 2013, and incorporated hereinby reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to collapsible chairs, and more particularly toan improvement for collapsible chairs that provides solar electricity towireless speakers for the chair.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

When camping, at a park or parade, or during other activities where theuse of a folding or collapsible chair is desirable, often the user ofsuch a chair must bring a separate umbrella to provide shade and aseparate portable radio to provide music or other audio programming tothe user's general area. Collapsible beach chairs of the prior art donot include means for stabilizing or supporting an umbrella, nor do theyprovide means for powering a portable electronic device or a pair ofspeakers.

US Patent Application 2011/0265964 to Portis et al. on Nov. 3, 2011teaches a solar-powered umbrella table, but such a device is notportable or collapsible. US Patent Application 2009/0058354 to Harriosnon Mar. 5, 2009 teaches a similar device.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,104,491 to Li on Jan. 31, 2012 teaches a stand-alonecollapsible umbrella structure that includes solar panels on a top sidefor collecting solar energy in the form of electricity and storing theenergy in a battery. Such a device makes no provision for working inconjunction with a collapsible chair, and is itself rather bulky totransport, particularly with a large stabilizing base that includes thebattery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,194 to Li on Aug. 2, 2005, and US PatentApplication 2010/0326849 to Trimarche et al. on Dec. 30, 2010, bothteach similar devices.

Therefore, there is a need for an improvement for collapsible beachchairs that provides a means for supporting an umbrella and for poweringa portable electronic device and speakers. Such a needed improvementwould allow for use of a rechargeable battery, and USB or other portsfor charging the portable electronic device. Such a needed device wouldbe collapsible and easily stored or transported with the chair, andwould be easy to assemble and disassemble. Further, such a neededinvention would be relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The presentinvention accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present device is an improvement for a collapsible beach chair ofthe type having a pair of vertical back support posts and a pair ofgenerally horizontal arm rests. The improvement comprises an umbrellamechanism that has a rigid support post fixed with an expandable canopy.The canopy includes at least one flexible solar panel fixed with a topsurface of the canopy. Power lines electrically connect the at least onesolar panel with an umbrella electrical connector.

A clamping mechanism allows for selectively supporting the umbrellamechanism with one of the back support posts of the chair. A chairelectrical connector is fixed with the chair and is electrically andmechanically connectable with the umbrella electrical connector. Anaudio transducer is fixed with each armrest of the chair andelectrically connected with the chair electrical connector through atleast one power conduit. Each audio transducer is adapted for receivinga wireless audio signal and reproducing such signal audibly.

In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery is fixed with the chair andelectrically connected to the chair electrical connector. As such, eachaudio transducer may be powered even with the umbrella mechanismdetached from the chair. Such a battery is preferably rechargeable withthe at least one solar panel, and preferably includes a selectivelydetachable battery electrical connector.

In one embodiment, at least one USB port is electrically connected withthe chair electrical connector such that power from the at least onesolar panel and/or battery is provided to the USB port for powering aportable electronic device, such as a mobile phone. In embodimentshaving the battery, each USB port may be electrically connected also tothe battery such that when no power is received from the at least onesolar panel the USB port is still provided with power from the battery.

A pair of flexible pockets may be further included for suspending fromeach arm rest of the chair. Each pocket encloses one of the audiotransducers and includes a selectively closable opening for accessing aninside space of the pocket. One of the pockets may be adapted forreceiving the battery therein.

In use, with the umbrella mechanism fixed to the chair with the clampingmechanism, and with the umbrella and chair electrical connectorsmutually fixed together, the audio transducers are provided powerthrough the at least one power conduit from the at least one solar paneland/or the battery to reproduce the audio signal.

The present invention is an improvement for collapsible beach chairsthat provides a means for supporting an umbrella and for powering aportable electronic device and speakers. The present improvementprovides for use of a rechargeable battery, and USB or other ports forpowering or charging the portable electronic device, either with thebattery or with one or more solar panels on a top side of the umbrellacanopy. The present invention is collapsible and easily stored ortransported with the chair, and is further easy to manufacture, assembleand disassemble. Other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following more detailed description, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by wayof example, the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a pluralityof solar panels on a top surface of an expandable canopy;

FIG. 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the invention, illustratingan umbrella and chair electrical connectors;

FIG. 3 is a partial rear perspective view of the invention, illustratinga flexible pocket suspended from an arm rest of the chair and containinga battery and an audio transducer;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the chair andumbrella electrical connectors; and

FIG. 5 is an electrical diagram of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thefollowing explanation provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practicedwithout such details. In other instances, well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or pluralnumber also include the plural or singular number respectively.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, shall refer to this applicationas a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Whenthe claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or moreitems, that word covers all of the following interpretations of theword: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and anycombination of the items in the list. When the word “each” is used torefer to an element that was previously introduced as being at least onein number, the word “each” does not necessarily imply a plurality of theelements, but can also mean a singular element.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an improvement 10 for a collapsible beach chair20 of the type having a pair of vertical back support posts 25 and apair of generally horizontal arm rests 22. Such beach chairs 20typically assume either an expanded configuration, as illustrated, or acollapsed configuration for convenient transport and storage (notshown).

The improvement 10 comprises an umbrella mechanism 30 that has a rigidsupport post 40 fixed with an expandable canopy 50 that can bepositioned from a collapsed configuration 32 (FIG. 5) to an expandedconfiguration 31 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The canopy 50 includes at least onesolar panel 60 fixed with a top surface 58 of the canopy 50. At least apair of power lines 70 are electrically connected to the at least onesolar panel 60 at a top end 78 thereof, and traverse through the supportpost 40 to terminate at a bottom end 72 thereof with an umbrellaelectrical connector 80 (FIGS. 2-5). A flexible carrying bag (not shown)may be included for storing and transporting the umbrella mechanism 30when in its collapsed configuration 32. Such a flexible carrying bag mayalso be integrated with a flexible carrying back for holding the chair20 when the chair 20 is in its collapsed configuration (not shown). Theumbrella mechanism 30 may include mechanical means for moving the canopy30 from the collapsed configuration 32 to the expanded configuration 31as is known in the art.

Preferably the at least one solar panel 60 is a plurality of flexible orresilient solar panels 60 fixed with the top surface 38 of the canopy30, such as by sewing or adhesive. Each flexible solar panel 60 isadapted to fold with the canopy 30 from the expanded configuration 31 tothe collapsed configuration 32 without breaking.

A clamping mechanism 90 allows for selectively supporting the supportpost 40 and the rest of the umbrella mechanism 30 with one of the backsupport posts 25 of the chair 20. Such a clamping mechanism 90 may be apair of brackets with an aperture therethrough for supporting thesupport post 40, as illustrated, or other clamping mechanisms 90 as areknown in the art. A chair electrical connector 100 is fixed with thechair 20 and is electrically and mechanically connectable with theumbrella electrical connector 80 (FIGS. 4 and 5).

An audio transducer 110, such as a speaker, is fixed with each armrest22 of the chair 20, each audio transducer 110 being electricallyconnected with the chair electrical connector 110 through at least onepower conduit 120. Each audio transducer 110 is adapted for receiving awireless audio signal 16 and reproducing such signal audibly. Preferablyeach audio transducer 110 is mounted flush with the arm rest 22 (FIG. 3)so as not to interfere with the use of a conventional use of the armrest22.

In one embodiment, a rechargeable battery 130 is fixed with the chair 20and electrically connected to the chair electrical connector 100. Assuch, each audio transducer 110 may be powered even with the umbrellamechanism 30 detached from the chair 20. Such a battery 130 ispreferably rechargeable with the at least one solar panel 60, andpreferably includes a selectively detachable battery electricalconnector 140 so that the battery 130 may be removed from the chair 20and replaced with a fully charged battery 130, for example. Preferablythe battery 130 is a lithium-ion type battery having a capacity of atleast 6500 mAh.

In one embodiment, at least one USB port 150 is electrically connectedwith the chair electrical connector 100, such that power from the atleast one solar panel 60 and/or battery 130 is provided to the USB port150 for powering a portable electronic device 15, such as a mobile phone(FIG. 3). Such a USB port 150 may be fixed with the battery 130, eachaudio transducer 110, or independently fixed with the arm rest 22 orother portion of the chair 20. In embodiments having the battery 130,each USB port 150 may be electrically connected also to the battery 130such that when no power is received from the at least one solar panel 60the USB port 150 is still provided with power from the battery 130.

In use, with the umbrella mechanism 30 fixed to the chair 20 with theclamping mechanism 90, and with the umbrella and chair electricalconnectors 80,100 mutually fixed together, the audio transducers 110 areprovided power through the at least one power conduit 120 from the atleast one solar panel 60 and/or the battery 130 to reproduce the audiosignal 16. Such an audio signal 16 may be that broadcast by the portableelectronic device 15, for example, through a suitable wireless protocolsuch as Bluetooth, or the like. Alternately, the audio signal 16 may bebroadcast by a radio station or radio satellite (not shown), or thelike.

Each audio transducer 110 may have its own wireless receiving circuitry(not shown) built-in, or only one of the audio transducers 110 may havethe wireless receiving circuitry and be adapted for transmitting theaudio signal to the other audio transducer 110 through a signal line(not shown) embedded in the chair 20, acting in a master/slave capacity.

A pair of flexible pockets 160 may be further included for suspendingfrom each arm rest 22 of the chair 20. Each pocket 160 encloses one ofthe audio transducers 110 and includes a selectively closable opening170 for accessing an inside space 165 of the pocket 160. Such an opening170 may be closable with a zipper, a hook-and-loop type fastener,mechanical snaps, or the like. Each pocket 160 may further include audioinsulation such that a back wave produced by the audio transducer 110 isat least partially muffled. One of the pockets 160 may be adapted forreceiving the battery 130 therein.

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, a different style of collapsible chair may be used with theimprovement 10 than is illustrated in the figures. Accordingly, it isnot intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appendedclaims.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned inthis disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, theinvention are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention,as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachingsof the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments.

All of the above patents and applications and other references,including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, areincorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can bemodified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and conceptsof the various references described above to provide yet furtherembodiments of the invention.

Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “DetailedDescription.” While the above description details certain embodiments ofthe invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter howdetailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced inmany ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably whilestill being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As notedabove, particular terminology used when describing certain features oraspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that theterminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specificcharacteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which thatterminology is associated.

While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of theinvention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventorreserves the right to add additional claims after filing the applicationto pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improvement for a collapsible beach chair ofthe type having a pair of vertical back support posts and a pair ofhorizontal arm rests, the improvement comprising: an umbrella mechanismhaving a support post fixed with an expandable canopy, the canopyincluding at least one solar panel fixed with a top surface thereof, atleast a pair of power lines electrically connected to the at least onesolar panel at a top end thereof traversing through the support postwhich terminates at a bottom end thereof with an umbrella electricalconnector; a clamping mechanism for selectively supporting the supportpost with one of the back support posts of the chair; a chair electricalconnector fixed with the chair and electrically and mechanicallyconnectable with the umbrella electrical connector; an audio transducerfixed with each armrest of the chair and electrically connected with thechair electrical connector through a power conduit, each audiotransducer adapted for receiving a wireless audio signal and reproducingsuch signal audibly; whereby with the umbrella mechanism fixed to thechair with the clamping mechanism, and with the umbrella and chairelectrical connectors mutually fixed together, the audio transducers areprovided power through the power conduits to reproduce the audio signal.2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the at least one solar panel is aplurality of flexible solar panels fixed with the top surface of thecanopy and adapted to fold with the canopy from an expandedconfiguration to a collapsed configuration.
 3. The improvement of claim1 further including a rechargeable battery fixed with the chair andelectrically connected to the chair electrical connector, whereby eachaudio transducer may be powered even with the umbrella mechanismdetached from the chair, the battery being rechargeable by the at leastone solar panel.
 4. The improvement of claim 3 wherein the rechargeablebattery is electrically detachable from the audio transducers and thechair electrical connector at a battery electrical connector.
 5. Theimprovement of claim 3 further including at least one USB port fixedwith the battery and electrically connected with the chair electricalconnector and the battery, whereby power from the at least one solarpanel and battery is provided to the USB port for powering a portableelectronic device.
 6. The improvement of claim 3 wherein a flexiblepocket is further included for suspending from each arm rest of thechair, each pocket enclosing one of the audio transducers, one of thepockets enclosing the battery, each pocket having a selectively closableopening for accessing an inside space of the pocket.
 7. The improvementof claim 1 further including at least one USB port electricallyconnected with the chair electrical connector, whereby power from the atleast one solar panel is provided to the USB port for powering aportable electronic device.
 8. The improvement of claim 1 wherein aflexible pocket is further included for suspending from each arm rest ofthe chair, each pocket enclosing one of the audio transducers, eachpocket having a selectively closable opening for accessing an insidespace of the pocket.